Visit to the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum in Coventry

I went to the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum in Coventry on the 17th August 2023. Mainly to see Dippy the dinosaur again, 5 years after he was at BM & AG Gas Hall. Also the Work on Walls street art exhibition. The general content too, Peeping Tom and Lady Godiva. Various objects, sculpture and art were nice to see as well.

The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum is located at Jordan Well in Coventry, between Bayley Lane, Priory Street and University Square. It can be approached from Earl Street, if walking past the Coventry Council House.

The art gallery & museum was founded by Sir Alfred Herbert (1866 - 1957). Who ran his company Alfred Herbert Ltd, one of the world's largest manufacturers and distributors of machine tools. He donated funds for the building of a museum in 1938, work began in 1939, but was stopped by the outbreak of WW2. After the war he donated more funds, then laid the foundation stone in 1954. But had died three years before it opened in 1960.

dndimg alt="Herbert Art Gallery & Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Herbert%20Art%20Gallery%20Museum%2017082023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A modern extension was built from 2005 to 2008 as part of a refurbishment programme. The covered court is where from 2023, Dippy the dinosaur is staying for three years (from the Natural History Museum, London). Dippy in Coventry opened in February 2023.

dndimg alt="The Herbert" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Herbert%20AGM%20Cov%20(Feb%202023)%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

I booked in to see Dippy at 12pm on 17/08/2023. Although was upstairs before this point, spent a few minutes getting more photos of the Diplodocus life cast skeleton, that I'd seen back in June 2018 at Gas Hall in the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.

dndimg alt="Dippy in Coventry" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dippy%20Herbert%20AGM%2017082023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Work on Walls

There is several rooms over the summer of 2023, with street art on the walls, part of the Work on Walls exhibition.

 

Coventry Dinosaur

One room has art by Andy Council in tribute to Dippy the Dinosaur's stay in Coventry. The Coventry skyline as Dippy. The Coventry Dinosaur.

dndimg alt="The Herbert" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dippy%20art%20WoW%20HAGM%2017082023%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Scribbleffiti

The first room by Scribbleffiti, red monsters, with objects from The Herbert.

dndimg alt="The Herbert" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Scribbleffiti%20HAGM%2017082023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Annatomix

Birmingham's own Annatomix has the second room, with her distinct origami style fox, bird and bull. Plus knives out!

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HAGM%2017082023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Philth

Next up is Phill Blake aka Philth. With flowery style art. That was similar to wallpaper.

dndimg alt="Philth" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Philth%20HAGM%2017082023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Window Artists

The final room by Window Artists. Luke Thrush and Anna Davies. They doodled on windows. And was commissioned to do a mural in Birmingham City Centre in 2020.

dndimg alt="Herbert Art Gallery & Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Window%20Artists%20HAGM%2017082023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Sir Alfred Herbert

Plaster bust of Sir Alfred Herbert by William Bloye, in the modern extension hall, dates to 1956.

dndimg alt="Sir Alfred Herbert" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sir%20A%20Herbert%20HAGM%2017082023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Portrait of Sir Alfred Herbert by Leonard Boden, dating to 1957.

dndimg alt="Sir Alfred Herbert" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Museum%20Herbert%20AGM%2017082023%20(10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Bronzes

Female Head, 1959 by William Chattaway (1927 to 2019). Chattaway was born in Coventry and attended Coventry School of Art.

dndimg alt="Herbert" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bronze%20Herbert%20AGM%2017082023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Yehudi Menuhin, 1963 by David Wynne (1926 to 2014). Yehudi Menuhin was a celebrated American violinist.

dndimg alt="Herbert" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bronze%20Herbert%20AGM%2017082023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Figure (Walnut), 1964 by Barbara Hepworth (1903 to 1975). Acquired by the Herbert in 1966

dndimg alt="Herbert" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bronze%20Herbert%20AGM%2017082023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Peeping Tom

What is now Peeping Tom, was originally thought to have been a statue of St George dating to 1500. Later it became known as Peeping Tom, who spied on Lady Godiva as she rode naked through Coventry. The figure was placed in a window overlooking Broadgate where it could watch the Godiva processions. At various times it was painted and given a hat to wear! Until recently this figure was on display in the Cathedral Lanes shopping centre.

Seen below at Cathedral Lanes shopping centre in 2014, and at The Herbert in 2023, where it is today.

dndimg alt="Peeping Tom" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Peeping%20Tom%20Cov%202014%202023.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Painting of Lady Godiva, dating to around 1898 by John Collier.

dndimg alt="Lady Godiva" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/PT%20LG%20HAGM%2017082023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Modern art

Action Stations.

dndimg alt="Herbert" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Art%20Herbert%20AGM%2017082023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Yellow and red flag thing with stars and a large i.

dndimg alt="Herbert" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Art%20Herbert%20AGM%2017082023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Swings with a yellow background.

dndimg alt="Herbert" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Art%20Herbert%20AGM%2017082023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Coventry history

City of Dreams.

dndimg alt="Herbert" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Museum%20Herbert%20AGM%2017082023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Hillman.

dndimg alt="Herbert" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Museum%20Herbert%20AGM%2017082023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

London Midland Railway poster, the rebirth of Coventry Cathedral.

dndimg alt="Herbert" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Museum%20Herbert%20AGM%2017082023%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Electric guitar.

dndimg alt="Herbert" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Museum%20Herbert%20AGM%2017082023%20(8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Wheels of fortune. Old bicycles including a penny farthing.

dndimg alt="Herbert" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Museum%20Herbert%20AGM%2017082023%20(12).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Statue of King Henry VI. From the Tudor Coventry Cross of 1544. The new Coventry Cross of 2023, is a 3D printed version of the statue, which is now at what was Trinity Street near Broadgate (Trinity Street Gardens).

dndimg alt="Herbert" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Museum%20Herbert%20AGM%2017082023%20(13).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Carving of St George and the dragon. According to local legend St George was born at Caludon Castle near Coventry. However the real St George was a Christian Roman soldier in Turkey. He was executed on 23 April 303 for refusing to persecute Christians.

dndimg alt="Herbert" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Museum%20Herbert%20AGM%2017082023%20(14).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

Taxi exhibition at the Coventry Transport Museum in 2019

I've been to the Coventry Transport Museum around three times between 2015 and 2019, when entry used to be free (has been an entrance fee since 2020). The last time I went around March 2019, for an exhibition called TAXI: The Story from A to B (was on at the time from January to May 2019). Had UK taxis as well as taxis from around the world. Including New York and Tokyo.

Coventry Transport Museum is a short distance away from Pool Meadow Bus Station. So if you don't get the train, you can catch the X1 bus from Birmingham (takes over an hour, via the Airport and NEC). On these visits I used to start by going to Esquires Coffee, before going into the museum (it is now Baxter Baristas @ 16 Hales Street).

 

TAXI: The Story from A to B

From horse drawn to horse power, the history of the taxi is much older than you think. From record breaking cabs that drove around the world, to hackney carriages throughout the ages. This is the Story from A to B.

Free Admission (not on the meter). It was on from the 26th January to 12th May 2019.

Did you know that the much loved feature of London streets has been made in Coventry since the 1940s?

They have been ferrying millions of passengers around the UK and in more than 40 countries.

The recent TX4 black cab model has starred in more than 5000 films including in James Bond, Doctor Who and Sherlock Holmes.

 

Here is some of the taxis that was on display in this temporary exhibition at the Coventry Transport Museum, back in 2019.

 

Humber Laudette 1910 London Taxi

dndimg alt="Coventry Transport Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Taxi%20Cov%20TM%20(Mar%202019)%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

FX3 1948-1958

dndimg alt="Coventry Transport Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Taxi%20Cov%20TM%20(Mar%202019)%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

TX1 1997-2017

dndimg alt="Coventry Transport Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Taxi%20Cov%20TM%20(Mar%202019)%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Sent to Coventry - 2 Tone Taxi - BBC Coventry & Warwickshire

dndimg alt="Coventry Transport Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Taxi%20Cov%20TM%20(Mar%202019)%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Japan Taxi

dndimg alt="Coventry Transport Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Taxi%20Cov%20TM%20(Mar%202019)%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

New York Taxi

dndimg alt="Coventry Transport Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Taxi%20Cov%20TM%20(Mar%202019)%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Get Taxi Breaking a World Record - It's on the Meter World Taxi Challenge

Aston University, Birmingham, QUT Business School.

dndimg alt="Coventry Transport Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Taxi%20Cov%20TM%20(Mar%202019)%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Rickshaw

dndimg alt="Coventry Transport Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Taxi%20Cov%20TM%20(Mar%202019)%20(8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Tuk Tuk

dndimg alt="Coventry Transport Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Taxi%20Cov%20TM%20(Mar%202019)%20(9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

TX E City Electric Future

dndimg alt="Coventry Transport Museum" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Taxi%20Cov%20TM%20(Mar%202019)%20(10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

Avanti West Coast: Riding the Flying Scouseman to Coventry

I got the Avanti West Coast Pendolino service from Birmingham New Street to Coventry (it was going to London Euston) on the 23rd February 2023. Journey took around 20 minutes, with only one stop at Birmingham International. This train the Flying Scouseman was named in the Liverpool Echo Name a Virgin Train competition in 2017. The name remained after Avanti took over in 2019.

Coventry Station

Arriving at Coventry Station on Avanti West Coast Pendolino Flying Scouseman 390 148 on the 23rd February 2023. Mainly to have a look around the new Coventry Station concourse (the old 1960s building remains as is Grade II listed). Caught at Birmingham New Street, this train was going down the West Coast Mainline towards London Euston. The train stopped at platform 2. After my walk around Coventry (via War Memorial Park and the City Centre), I got Cross Country Trains back to Birmingham New Street (standing all the way, no free seats).

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Flying%20Scouseman%20Cov%20Stn%2023022023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Flying%20Scouseman%20Cov%20Stn%2023022023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Flying%20Scouseman%20Cov%20Stn%2023022023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Flying%20Scouseman%20Cov%20Stn%2023022023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The previous time I'd been to Coventry Station was on the 12th June 2021, where I saw Avanti West Coast Pendolino 390 010, with the 'Welcome to Coventry' sign. That day I got Avanti down to Coventry from Birmingham New Street, and later back with this train.

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Avanti%20WC%20Cov%20(Jun%202021).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Birmingham International Station

I previously saw Avanti West Coast Pendolino 390 152 at Birmingham International on the 3rd September 2022. But that day got London Northwestern Railway back to Birmingham New Street. This Avanti service was heading for Edinburgh at the time.

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/AWC%20BIS%2003092022%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/AWC%20BIS%2003092022%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Birmingham New Street Station

Seen from platform 4c at Birmingham New Street was Avanti West Coast Pendolino 390 135 at platform 5 (5b) on the 19th June 2021.

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/AWC%20390%20BNSS%2019062021.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Avanti%20WC%20BNSS%2019062021%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

While at platform 3 (3b) that day was Avanti West Coast Pendolino 390 122.

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Avanti%20WC%20BNSS%2019062021%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A pair of Avanti West Coast Pendolino's Class 390 recorded at Birmingham New Street, from the Moor Street Link Bridge on the 17th October 2021.

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Avanti%20WC%20BNSS%2017102021.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

At Birmingham New Street on the 20th August 2020,  I saw Avanti West Coast Pendolino 390 127 in the new livery. Earlier that year before the pandemic began, they were still white, after the end of Virgin Trains in December 2019.

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BNSS%20Avanti%20W%20Coast%20(Aug%202020)%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BNSS%20Avanti%20W%20Coast%20(Aug%202020)%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Avanti West Coast" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BNSS%20Avanti%20W%20Coast%20(Aug%202020)%20(3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown